It could be that because I am getting excited for Multicultural Children’s Book Day: Celebrating Diversity in Children’s Literature on January 27th 2014 , I really got excited about the Marisol McDonald picture book series.
I grew up in Southern California but have been living outside Boston for the past 15 years. When I went to a friend’s birthday party in Southern California a decade ago — I kid you not — EVERY single child at that party of two dozen was of mixed race. That’s California for you!
My own kids are multi-racial Asians that we refer to in Hawaiian slang as a “Mixed Plate” in that they are 1/4 Japanese, 1/4 Chinese and 1/2 Korean. And American too, of course, because they were all born in Boston.
In the first picture book, Marisol doesn’t match because she has red hair and nut-brown skin. She likes peanut butter and jelly but nestled in a burrito. I’m glad these multi-racial messages are finally making it in picture book land because this kind of mixed up culture is very normal to me.
My name is Marison McDonald, and I don’t match because … I don’t want to!
I like being unique, different, and one of a kind.
Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios
In this second picture book — also bilingual in Spanish — Marisol is trying to plan her perfect birthday party. Her greatest birthday desire is for her beloved abuelita to come to her party all the way from Peru. That’s a very expensive wish, even with Marisol saving up! There’s a high tech surprise ending!
Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash by Monica Brown, illustrated by Sara Palacios
Multicultural Picture Book Giveaway
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
Our family loves – and reads over and over, the skin I live in. It reminds them to love themselves and others. We are all different on the outside (different skin tones, different heights, different weights, different body types) but we are all the same too. I simply love the message in the book – and I love the rhyme. It\’s easy for the kids to listen to and understand.I think it\’s important for us, because of where we live and the people around us. It\’s important to send the message of everyone is beautiful no matter what they look like or what talents they have.Thank you so much for this giveaway. I would love love love love love to win this book. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed.
Hi Lisa,
I will have to check out The Skin I Live In! Thanks so much for entering my giveaway and good luck!!!
Oh, when I try to pin the image, I don’t see an image. Hum?
Hi Lisa,
Oh no. I must have done something wrong. Let me try to fix it. Thanks for the heads up!
I love the sound of this and fun combination too.
Thanks so much Catherine!!
My family and I LOVE the Marisol books!
Hi Stephanie,
That makes me so happy! She reminds me of a bi-racial Fancy Nancy!
I had a problem with pinning this as well.
I can’t think of a favorite book with mixed race characters….but I need to find some because my kids are mixed race.
Hi Valerie,
I was trying to think of more mixed race characters in children’s books and I’m not sure there are very many! I can’t think of many either!
Hi Valerie,
So sorry about that. Will try to fix that.
Sorry to everyone who tried to pin the image. I figured it out; I failed to put in the URL into Rafflecopter for that. Sorry. It’s working now.
I love this about California – we have so many friends with mixed heritages or first generation immigrants like ourselves. This sounds like a wonderful book!
Hi Natalie,
It is such a big shift in U.S. demographics. They are calling the newest generation Plurals because it’s the last generation with a Caucasian majority.
This is something I love about California, also! The book sounds great!
Hi MaryAnne,
I’m sure you’ve noticed the mixed race diversity in California versus Massachusetts. California is ahead of the curve in that way! We miss that diversity.
One of my favorite picture books that celebrates being bicultural is, I LOVE SATURDAYS Y DOMINGOS by Alma Flor Ada.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for the great book recommendation! I will try to get my hands on a copy!!
So fun! Love that it’s not only bilingual but also celebrating all parts of being mixed race. Perfect for this month’s #diversekidlit theme!
Thanks so much Katie!!
I work in an international school with over 50 nationalities. Many of our kids are from two or more cultures, often unusual mixes like Marisol. Great pick.
Hi Joanna,
That’s great to know that your school has such a mix. It’s more common in California where I grew up, but there are fewer unusual mixes where I live in Boston. I think my kids are the only Korean/Japanese/Chinese kids I’ve met so far!
In my city, I think most people are a bit of this and a bit of that! I’m a first-generation Canadian with a whole bunch of different bits and pieces in my background, which always confused my students, who could often trace their families back in their countries, even their home provinces or towns, for generations. It’s funny, but in my city I think it’s far more normal to be a bit of this and that – it’s definitely the way of the future!
Hi Jane,
I can relate to the bit of this and bit of that! My mom’s side can trace their ancestry back 400 years down to their provence, and I think my husband’s father’s side can too on the Korean side.